eye care

blure eyecare

WHAT WE DO AT BLUR EYECARE ?

At Blur Eyecare in Tauranga and Mt Maunganui, we are Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians. As such we are able to diagnose and manage eye conditions and prescribe tailored solutions for an individual’s eye sight.

What is an Optometrist?

An optometrist is a primary health care professional for the eye. Optometrists examine, diagnose, treat and manage eye diseases, injuries, and disorders of the visual system, the eye and associated structures as well as identify related systemic conditions affecting the eye. If required, an optometrist will prescribe an optical appliance such as glasses or contact lenses in order to correct a person’s sight. If you experience any problems at all with your eyes, an optometrist should be your first point of call. Haidee and Stuart are our therapeutically qualified optometrists. Book an eye test today.

What is a Dispensing Optician?

A dispensing optician’s role is similar to that of a chemist to a doctor; to transform a spectacle prescription into real life eye wear. In New Zealand, the training is a 3 year qualification based in Sydney & NZ. The role is varied, involving frame & lens selection for clients and all after-purchase service. However, the most important aspect of the job is the interpretation of clients’ needs and the communication of options available to them. Devon, our resident dispensing optician, has been in optics since 1997. He worked in London, Auckland and Hamilton before nesting up in Tauranga. He has a keen eye for matching frames to faces and especially enjoys the challenge of resolving progressive lens issues.

WHY DO I NEED GLASSES?

As no two people are the same, no two sets of eyes are the same. Like people, eyes can come in all shapes and sizes which can lead to a refractive error (a need for visual correction by way of glasses or contact lenses.)

Myopia - aka short sighted

In a myopic eye an image is focused in front of the retina causing objects at a distance to be blurred. Reading or near vision may be by clear but the objects at a distance will be blurry. Usually the eye is too long. Very short sighted people should avoid bungy jumping!

Hyperopia - aka long sighted

In a hyperopic eye, the image is focused behind the retina which often isn’t a problem as the eye can change shape to focus the image onto the retina. In high hyperopia, then the vision can be blurred – particularly at near. Usually the eyeball is too short. People with hyperopia often experience eye strain during near tasks.

Presbyopia

With age, the crystalline lens loses its ability to focus or ‘accommodate’ which results in blurred vision at near. Arms aren’t quite long enough anymore? The culprit? Presbyopia. The main thing to realise is that everyone gets presbyopia and it is absolutely normal. Just remember: ‘three things in life that are inevitable are death, taxes and presbyopia’.

Astigmatism

is a very common eye condition that results from the cornea or crystalline lens being toric in shape – i.e. more like a rugby ball than a soccer ball. Astigmatism can occur with myopia, hyperopia or presbyopia. Most people have a little bit of astigmatism.

do you Need your eyes tested?

EYES ARE THE WINDOWS TO YOUR HEALTH

At Blur Eyecare, ensuring you have the best possible vision throughout your life is what we are all about. Many sight threatening eye diseases are ‘symptom free’ so make sure you have a thorough eye check every 2 years. As it is sensible to visit your GP for a check up for blood pressure and cholesterol even if you are symptom free, it is also important for regular eye checks even if there are no apparent problems. Having an eye test is something that you should do on a regular basis, especially as you get older. Come in and have a vision test with us today. Eye tests can be booked online or over the phone.

Even if you are experiencing no problems with your eyes or vision, a regular eye check can provide genuine insight into your overall health. Recent studies suggest that in the coming years retinal photography will be a better indicator for hypertension (high blood pressure) compared to even taking one’s blood pressure! An eye test is important to address any visual issues, but it is also important from a health point of view. Therapeutic optometrists are even better equipped than your GP for any eye problems at all, including; red, sore, infected, itchy eyes or any form of eye discharge.

Below is a run down of some of the tests to expect during your eye exam:

Visual acuities – how you see with and without your glasses.

Detailed history – this will include questions about your visual tasks, past eye history, family eye history, general health and medications.

Phorias – this tests how your eyes work together making sure that the eye muscles are balanced at near and distance.

Motility – checking your eye movements.

Pupil function and response

Retinoscopy – a way for us to determine your glasses prescription without asking you any questions – an objective test.

Refraction – the good old ‘better 1 or 2′ part in which the optometrist finalises your glasses prescription based on your responses. Many people worry about giving a wrong answer. Don’t stress…we double and triple check everything and just remember…there is no wrong answer.

Tonometry – measuring your eye pressure as part of the glaucoma test.

Pachymetry measures the thickness of your cornea which is very important to accurately determine your eye pressure and your risk of developing glaucoma.

Slit lamp examination – high powered microscope that allows us to examine the front and back of your eye e.g. macula, optic nerve and cornea.

Visual Field Testing – to test your peripheral or ‘side vision’ if indicated.

Dilation – dilates or opens up the pupil of the eye so that we can have a better look into your eye if indicated.

Retinal photography – a picture tells 1000 words. Two yearly photos are taken on every patient for comparison throughout the years. This should be done on everyone!

OCT – measurements of ocular tissue with optical coherence tomography are performed on all patients. We use this machine to see what is going on underneath the tissue. Most other optometrists charge for this but we believe it should be part of any regular eye exam.

At the end of the exam we will discuss the results with you and any management options/treatment plans.